Clare Anne Nield

As a Sewing Tutor I teach a range of classes and workshops in a friendly and creative environment. Students can range in skill levels from complete beginners to intermediate advanced and it is my job to help advise, guide and assist support with their sewing journeys. Whether introducing them to how to use a sewing machine and the different seams, stitches and terminology, to reading a pattern, taking body measurements and altering a pattern. Using my industry experience to help with construction. Teaching a range of workshops including: Appliqué, Dressmaking, Swimsuit, Lingerie, Bag Making plus many more.
Creating projects to teach children in the Young Sewers classes that are engaging, fun and also teaching the essential skills. I possess a full DBS check.

I offer my knowledge and creative skills of fashion, design, construction and illustration in a freelance capacity. Collaborating with brands/clients across varying projects including making one off bespoke items of clothing, samples and wholesale orders, pattern cutting, photographic stylist for photoshoots or online merchandising, as well as creating visual artwork such as fashion illustrations to wedding stationary.

Clare and the Bear is the creation of Clare Anne Nield. It is her space to design and create thoughtful handmade items and illustrations. Originally starting focused on womenswear she has now expanding into kids and nursery decor.
Creating handmade items for the conscious consumer that they will love, appreciate and treasure. Everything is handmade to order and is crafted to each customer’s unique specifications.

Working with lingerie brand With Love Lilly to manufacture delicate lace intimates and nightwear. Based at my home studio I create and amend patterns, cut and manufacture garments in multiple styles and sizes. Producing handmade items to high standard quality using my expertise techniques to ensure each item is perfect, pattern matched and unified. The ability to handle and understand more delicate fabrics such as satin, silk, tulle and laces, also using elastics and underwear fastenings.

As a Sewing Workshop tutor my role is to guide, teach and supervise classes/workshops to students of all levels, from complete beginners to more advanced sewers. Utilizing my skills gained over the years working within the fashion industry to assist people with their sewing projects. To support and encourage students achievements and develop their skills within sewing in a relaxed, happy environment. From teaching people the basics of using a sewing machine, showing techniques on how to construct items, how to pin and cut fabric and pattern match, explain how to read and use a sewing pattern, to take their own body measurements and translating that onto the pattern and grading between sizes. Being patient is vital in this role as students can be nervous to learn a new skill, and can get frustrated at making mistakes or are shy at asking for help, so being friendly and understanding, keeping calm under stress and having good communication will all help to provide an enjoyable learning environment.

Collaborating with start up Swimwear Company specialising in niche Pool Side Bikinis to help design and manufacture collections and expanding the label into Women’s Eveningwear. Working across an array of fabrics including swimwear stretch lycras and more technically challenging material including sequins, embroidered beading, diamante, glitter and feathers. Developing stylish show stopping designs, selecting fabrics, creating the patterns and samples, grading the collection, testing the fabrics/garments, and manufacturing orders were amongst my duties at Pretty Dolly. Though my role also extended to copywriting the ecommerce products, attending photoshoots as the stylist, and producing technical drawings to accompany the spec sheets and linesheets.

Ecommerce styling of designer luxury brands including YSL, Versace, Stella McCartney, Mulberry, Valantino, Jimmy Choo etc to be published upon Selfridges website and social media platforms. Working across an array of items including bags, jewellery, footwear and kidswear and developing key techniques to showcase each item in a modern and stylish approach. Collaborating with the photographer to ensure high quality images and to meet the deadlines.

In a fast paced studio environment working within a small team where clothing is designed and manufactured in house. My responsibilities included supporting the senior designer, pattern cutting, grading, manufacturing multiple garments and sizes, managing the factory floor and machinists, quality control, creating spec sheets, maintaining the machinery, also being a key holder. Having worked with a wide array of fabrics ranging from stretch (viscose, spandex, micro suede, cotton mixes) non-stretch (cotton, faux leather, denim, wool mixes) I have an understanding of their properties, which accompanies my experience of working with industrial machines including; straight stitch, over locker, cover stitch, heat press for vinyl print, electric fabric cutter, as well as domestic machines. I was also responsible for the expansion into womenswear and childrenswear, creating the initial designs and patterns. Additionally as part of the manufacturing side we had outside clients producing a wide variety of products including; mannequin covers, telescope covers, magic accessories.

A challenging role working as a cover supervisor within secondary schools, which consisted of managing a classroom of 30 children aged from 11-16. Adhering the children behave, are safe and complete the work set, required excellent classroom management, patience and a high level of motivation. Classes ranged from English, Music, Art, Science and IT. This role required flexibility as work was sporadic and in multiple locations. Although not a predominantly creative role, this helped expand on other traits including; people relations, managing a large group, time keeping etc.

Collaborating with menswear blog/magazine The Rakish Gent to create stylised fashion illustrations showcasing the hottest trends in the Look of the Week feature.